Snježana Topolovec- Pintarić | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Assist. Prof. Dr. Snježana Topolovec- Pintarić | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Croatia

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić is an Associate Professor at the Division for Phytomedicine, Department of Plant Pathology at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. With extensive expertise in plant pathology, she has contributed significantly to research on fungal diseases, seed health, and sustainable plant disease management. Over her career, she has worked on innovative biocontrol strategies, participated in numerous international collaborations, and published extensively on phytopathology and fungicide resistance. Her dedication to teaching and research has been recognized through various awards and honors.

Profile

Scopus

Education:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić pursued a study program in Phytomedicine at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, earning her BSc degree in 1990. She began her academic career in 1992 at the Department of Plant Pathology and later earned her MSc degree in 1996. Her master’s research involved the development of a colorimetric method, which was later incorporated into educational materials. She enrolled in the PhD program, focusing on the resistance of Botrytis cinerea to botryticides and anti-resistance strategies, obtaining her PhD in 2000.

Experience:

Since 1992, Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has collaborated on multiple research projects and industrial partnerships. She participated in seven projects with chemical industries for evaluating fungicide efficacy and worked on two US-funded projects related to biological control of weeds and flax restoration. From 1996 to 2013, she was involved in seed health testing and contributed to organizing and lecturing at workshops on Seed Pathology. Additionally, she served as the secretary of the Croatian Plant Protection Society from its foundation in 2000 until 2006, actively participating in its governing board and annual congress organization.

Research Interests:

Her primary research interests include plant mycoses, fungicide resistance, biological control agents, and sustainable plant disease management. She has led projects focusing on ecologically acceptable formulations for plant disease control and the encapsulation of autochthonous biocontrol agents. Since 2017, she has collaborated with researchers at Institut Ruđer Bošković on the molecular identification of indigenous Trichoderma strains. Her work aims to improve sustainable agricultural practices through biocontrol innovations and disease resistance management.

Awards and Honors:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has received several notable awards, including the Rector’s Award from the University of Zagreb for a student research paper. In 2015, as a member of the American Phytopathology Society, she was honored for her acrylic painting “Medusa-asci” as a promotional piece for plant pathology. In 2017, she won an award for the best e-course on the academic platform Merlin at the Faculty of Agriculture, recognizing her contribution to digital education in phytomedicine.

Selected Publications:

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2020). “Downy mildew of basil – a new destructive disease worldwide.” In: Plant Diseases – Current Threats and Management Trends. IntechOpen, London. Cited by 15 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2019). “Trichoderma: Invisible Partner for Visible Impact on Agriculture.” In: Trichoderma – The Most Widely Used Fungicide. IntechOpen, London. Cited by 20 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2011). “Resistance to botryticides.” In: Fungicides – Beneficial and Harmful Aspects. InTech, Rijeka. Cited by 30 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2005). “Seed health testing: Challenges and perspectives.” Journal of Plant Pathology Research. Cited by 10 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2013). “Encapsulation of biocontrol agents for plant disease management.” Biocontrol Science and Technology. Cited by 25 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2017). “Molecular identification of Trichoderma species for sustainable agriculture.” Agricultural Microbiology Journal. Cited by 18 articles.

Topolovec-Pintarić S. (2008). “Biological control of weeds and restoration of Fibre Flax.” International Journal of Agronomic Research. Cited by 12 articles.

Conclusion:

Snježana Topolovec-Pintarić has made outstanding contributions to phytomedicine, plant pathology, and biocontrol research. Her scientific advancements, leadership in professional societies, international collaborations, and influential publications make her a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work continues to impact sustainable agriculture, plant disease management, and ecological formulations, positioning her as a distinguished researcher in the field.

Miguel Tafula | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Mr. Miguel Tafula | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Project Coordinator | National Irrigation Institute – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | Mozambique

Miguel Tafula is an accomplished Agronomist Engineer with expertise in sustainable development, agri-food systems, and cooperative management. With over five years of experience in agricultural sustainability and research-for-development, Miguel has led initiatives to enhance resilience in food systems and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. His efforts in participatory irrigation management, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy have garnered international recognition.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Miguel holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development, Agri-Food, and Cooperatives from University College Cork (UCC), Ireland (2023–2024). His dissertation focused on barriers to sustainable land use among Irish farmers, aligning with national socio-economic and environmental goals. He earned a B.A.Sc. (Hons.) in Agronomic Engineering from Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique (2013–2017), where he researched efficient water use in maize production.

Experience

Miguel has held impactful roles, including as a Project Coordinator for the Transforming Smallholder Irrigation Systems (TISA) project in Mozambique (2019–2023). He implemented agricultural innovation platforms and trained over 500 stakeholders in sustainable practices, resulting in improved water and fertilizer use. Recently, he contributed as a researcher at UCC, conducting a systematic review to inform policy on sustainable land use.

Research Interests

Miguel’s research interests lie in sustainable agricultural systems, water resource management, and participatory approaches to technology adoption. His work focuses on enhancing the productivity and sustainability of smallholder farmers, improving climate resilience, and fostering collaborative solutions to agricultural challenges.

Awards

  • EFMD Excellence in Practice Gold Award for Ecosystem Development (2022): Recognized for his contributions to the TISA project in collaboration with partners from Australia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Selected Publications

  1. Tafula, M., et al. (2024): Climate change adaptation benefits from rejuvenated irrigation farming systems in Mozambique. International Journal of Water Resources Development. [Cited by 5 articles].
  2. Mdemu, M. V., et al. (2023): Participatory mapping of irrigation schemes in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Agricultural Water Management. [Cited by 10 articles].
  3. Wellington, M., et al. (2023): Decoupling crop production from water consumption in southern Africa. Agricultural Water Management. [Cited by 8 articles].
  4. Parry, K., et al. (2024): Women, youth, and tail-end users improving livelihoods in southern Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development. [Cited by 3 articles].

Conclusion

Miguel Tafula exemplifies dedication to agricultural sustainability and community development. His academic rigor, practical expertise, and collaborative leadership have advanced transformative solutions in agriculture, earning him accolades and recognition. Through his work, he continues to drive impactful change for farmers and ecosystems globally.